My 6 Favorite Wines Under $20

Need a hostess gift or simply a delicious wine to sip on at home? Here are my go-to, 6 favorite wines under $20.

Where my winos at? (I mean that in the nicest way possible, of course!)

I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to write a post about one of my favorite subjects – wine! Sometimes I get so caught up brainstorming new content for the blog that I miss what’s sitting right in front of my face. Perfectly chilled, and served in a big, tall glass.

(⬇️ excellent holiday gift idea alert!)

MY OTHER RECIPES

Before I got Celiac Disease, Ben and I were very much into the craft beer scene. We had so much fun trying different varieties and flavors (RIP Hell or High Watermelon,) going to craft brew festivals, trying local beer when we traveled – Ben even brewed and bottled beer in our basement! Unfortunately that all went out the door when I got sick. Turns out it’s not as much fun brewing beer when you can’t enjoy it with your craft brew-loving spouse anymore.

All was not lost, however, because although beer is full of the devil gluten, guess what isn’t? WINE! And guess what has a zillion varietals, vintages, and intricacies that make drinking interesting again? WINE!

So here we are. Wine drinkers. Who would’ve thought? That is to say, Ben and I have really gotten into wine over the past three years. The anticipation of trying a new wine – opening the bottle, pouring it into a glass, giving it a good sniff and finally a nice sip – is something we both really enjoy. Ben usually does the shopping because he loves finding new and interesting wines to try, which means all I have to do is uncork and enjoy. Speaking of uncorking, here’s the wine opening kit we use and swear by. No wine lover should be without it.

I’ve been to Napa a couple times, once with my girlfriends and again on a blogging trip, and have really enjoyed learning about wine-making from passionate winery owners and growers. Also learning the phrase “meth teeth“. And while I’ve loved learning even more about wine and wine making from documentaries like Somm (<< mind blowing) and Somm: Into the Bottle, I’m certainly no expert. That said, I know what I like and don’t like, so today I’m sharing 6 of my favorite wines under $20. Because I don’t think you need to spend an arm and a leg on wine to have a good experience, and also because any of these wines would make an excellent hostess gift for the holiday parties you’re attending this month. Slap a bow on that baby and get prepared for a big ol’ smile from the recipient!

I’m going to share three of my favorite white wines and three of my favorite reds, all of which can be found for under $20 around here. Prices can vary depending on where you live and buy wine – for example, we’ve found up to a $5 difference on some bottles depending on which HyVee we buy our wine at. Just something to be mindful of.

Ok so the only thing I like better than sharing my favorite wine picks is finding new and yummy wines to try, so let me know what YOUR favorite $20 and under wines are in the comments section below! In the meantime, CHEERS!

Favorite White Wines

Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc

When Ben and I are feeling fancy, we break out the Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc. And by fancy I mean I’ve showered sometime in the last 48 hours and Ben still has both socks on. Is anyone else’s husband constantly walking around with one sock missing? Just mine? Anyway, Whitehaven is my favorite mid-range New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. It’s very crisp, finishes super clean, is incredibly refreshing, and best enjoyed ice cold. Perfect to pair with sushi or serve at summer grill outs. Whitehaven is usually sold in the $16-$19 range around here, which is why we try and keep it for a clean hair/fully socked sort of occasion.

From the brand: full-flavored and medium-bodied with notes of peach, gooseberry and ripe tropical fruit. Showcasing a brilliant straw color, this elegant wine refreshes the palate with a long, clean finish.

Decoy Sauvignon Blanc

Decoy Sauvignon Blanc is my go-to “I’ve had an insane day, haven’t sat down since 7am, and need something to relax with while watching incredibly trashy television after the children are in bed” wine. I don’t cook with this wine (and hate sharing!) because it’s just so good by the glass. It has just the right amount of finish and is very balanced – not too tart nor too thin – just, perfect. We can usually find Decoy in the $14-16 range and it’s worth every penny. I’ve told all my white wine-loving friends to try it!

From the brand:this vivid and enticing wine offers bright, stone fruit flavors of nectarine and apricot, as well as lovely notes of honeydew, lemongrass and grapefruit. On the palate, refreshing acidity mingles with a subtle sweetness that carries through to a fresh, lively finish.

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc was the gateway wine into the world of Sauvignon Blancs for me. Readily available and in the $13-$16 range, it’s a wonderful, all-purpose white that’s crisp and tart. It pairs well with just about any food but especially seafood, chicken, and anything off the grill, plus it’s great to cook with.

I jokingly call this a “poor man’s” good sauvignon blanc because the quality is better than a $5-7 bottle of wine, but if I had a choice I’d go with Whitehaven or Decoy, which happen to be a few bucks more. Still completely delicious though, and my friends and I tend to drink this wine the most when we get together. Kim Crawford has really pretty labels on their bottles right now which would make a great hostess gift tied simply with a ribbon!

From the brand: an exuberant wine brimming with juicy acidity and fruit sweetness, providing a balanced flavor profile. The finish is fresh, zesty, and lingering.

Favorite Red Wines

Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon

If I’m drinking red wine it’s almost always going to be cabernet sauvignon, which in my opinion is a white wine drinker’s red wine. That is to say, it’s easy to drink. Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon is the wine we tend to pour on Sundays in the season that shall not be named when Ben or I have a big pot of stew, Sunday sauce, or gumbo simmering on the stove. This cabernet is a great one to slowly sip because I find it to be a bit bold, and it goes well with the hearty food we eventually pair it with. We usually find this cabernet in the $13-$15 range, making it the most “affordable” of my three favorite reds. I like taking this wine as a hostess gift because I find both red and white wine drinkers like it.

From the brand:this vintage (2015) had a long, calm growing season, helping create elevated and concentrated flavors that include wild berries, plum, licorice and mocha. The full-bodied and mouth-coating feel on the palate leads to a long, graceful finish with tones of intense fruit, dried herbs and cedar inside firm structure.

Chateau Ste Michelle Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon

Chateau Ste Michelle Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon makes my list of 6 favorite wines under $20 because it’s very, very smooth and just totally yummy. It might be my favorite red wine under $20, actually! Just to paint you a picture – this cabernet is great to pair with cheese, crackers, and prosciutto, and enjoy by a warm fire. It’s usually just a dollar or two more than Louis Martini and I can find it pretty much everywhere.

From the brand:the Indian Wells Cabernet is our warm climate ripe, jammy “New World” style of Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine typifies the Wahluke Slope region with dark fruit aromas and flavors. Syrah added an enhanced richness and concentration to the wine.

La Crema Monterey Pinot Noir

La Crema Monterey Pinot Noir is a great choice for when you want to switch your glass of red wine up. Pinot Noir grapes are notoriously hard to grow because they’re super sensitive to climate and soil changes, which means a GOOD pinot noir can be on the more expensive side. That said, we find La Crema to be really delicious and can usually find it in the $17-$19 range. Each sip is very light, easy to drink, and super juicy tasting.

From the brand: on the nose, red plum, tea leaves and coffee bean. On the palate, red cherry, orange zest and classic Monterey minerality. A lingering finish of sweet spice.

What are your go-to wines for enjoying at home and/or giving as a gift?

61 Comments [+]

Meiomi is hands down the best Pinot noir I’ve EVER had (and I LOVE wine). Might be a little over $20 but it is so so worth it. Not a big white wine drinker but your red choices are a few of my faves as well.

Great post…excited to try some of these wines! I’m going to second the suggestion above…Meiomi Pinot Noir is awesome! And readily available at Costco. Also, Giesen Sauv Blanc has a similar taste to Kim Crawford for a cheaper price point (also at Costco).

For white wines, I love Chateau St. Michelle Riesling. It’s usually around $11 a bottle (although we live in Pennsylvania and they have the dumbest liquor laws, which make everything super expensive. Whenever my fiancée and I are traveling out of state we always stock up because prices are $3-$5 cheaper pretty much everywhere else). Anyway, I also really like Fetzer’s Gewurztraminer and it’s usually around $7-$9 a bottle. For reds, I love Cabs and Merlots! Whenever I want a good Merlot but don’t want to spend a ton of money, my go to is the Barefoot Merlot. It’s like $6.99 a bottle (or you can get the 1L for $10.99 on sale ;) )but it’s good stuff. When I want to spend more money, 14 Hands Cabernet or Hot to Trot Red Blend is hands down my favorite. It’s $12-$14 a bottle (again, don’t go by me and the crazy inflated PA prices *eyeroll*). That being said, reds are my favorite, but heck it’s wine, and I’m happy to try anything ;). I’m always slightly overwhelmed at the store (what if we hate what we pick?) but thank you for this post! Now I have a bunch of new wine to try!!! P.S. There’s also a line called “Once a Upon a Vine” and all the wines are fairytale based. There’s “The Big Bad Red Blend,” “A Charming Pinot,” “The Fairest Chardonnay,” and “Lost Slipper Sauvignon Blanc.” The bottles are ADORABLE and the wine is good too!

We love the Duckhorn Decoy Merlot which is right at $20 here in Texas. For a very fancy night (anniversary type night) we will go with Duckhorn Merlot which costs about $45. I assume Decoy is the more affordable version which gets the job done on budget.

I’m so glad you posted this. Yea for new wines to try! A friend recently brought over an Italian red wine and I LOVED it. I’ve seen it at Target for ~$20 but at Costco for ~$15. It’s Palazzo Della Torre Veronese Allegrini. Yum!

Haha I love you! I wanted to try those too! We like the Sutter Home and Oak Leaf or whatever it’s called at Walmart. I figure it’s probably hard to mess up a moscato LOL. Our “fancy” wine is Mogen David :P

Love the Louis Martini cabernet! My husband and I are also big fans of the Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages (think I spelled that right) which I runs about $12 or $13 around here. As for white, I really like the Chateau St. Michelle Riesling.

My favorite summer wine is a New Zealand sauvignon blanc! Matua is wonderful and very inexpensive. I like pinot noir when it’s colder – Angeline is a favorite and also very affordable. Can’t wait to try your recommendations!

7 Deadly Zins is my fav zinfandel. Its from Lodi, CA where I first tried it, but you can find it in IA at HyVee for around $17 or Costco for $11. Not a white wine drinker, but I do enjoy Matua Savignon Blanc occasionally as others have stated – – nice, crisp grapefruit notes!

I love the Meiomi Pinot Noir! I also love Bogle Old Vine Zinfandal. It’s closer to $10 a bottle, so I drink it frequently! Kim Crawford is a fave so I’m excited to try your other white recommendations!
Also, on a side note, you are doing an amazing job juggling family and work with a new baby! I have 2 boys also, it’s so fun to see them play together. Congrats on your newest addition and keep up the good work!

Kim Crawford is a fun one—and they have jazzed-up bottles for holiday gifting! I’d LOVE to go on a vino shopping adventure with you and show you some of my off-the-beaten-path faves. :) Awesome post, Kristin!!

I primarily drink Sauvignon Blanc, and thoroughly enjoy all you listed. I also like Seaglass, but I have to say, my current favorite is Aldi Sunshine Bay Sauvignon Blanc- it is so smooth and totally drinks like Kim Crawford, but is only $6.99/bottle! Total steal and absolutely worth trying if you haven’t already! Murphy Goode also makes a wonderful Pinot Noir- one of our favorite wine country honeymoon finds!

I absolutely love Crema Pinot Noir. And how funny that all your whites are Sauv Blanc… I used to just always get chardonnay until I discovered Sauv Blanc, and now it’s pretty much the only white I buy! Merry Christmas!

We have the same taste in wine! I love all three of those whites. If those are your three favorite sauvignon blancs, you’re missing out on the best value in town–the Sauvignon Republic Sauvignon Blanc at Trader Joe’s. It’s only $7.99 and is my go to everyday wine.

Hi Kristin. Thanks for the great tips! Just FYI, Chateau Ste. Michelle also makes a phenomenal Riesling, which is not overly sweet as some rieslings can be. Their dry riesling is also nice. I will admit that one of the toughest things about returning to the States will be the lack of yummy wine under $5 a bottle. One of our favorite local wines here sells for just $2.50. Wish I could send you some!

We just had our annual wine party at my sister’s on Wednesday night…”bring a bottle to share!” Someone brought Meiomi Pinot Noir and it was DELICIOUS! I can’t seem to stop thinking about it! I think she said it’s just under $20…usually around $18.

Great post! We also love Chateau Ste Michelle! Give Greg Norman Estates Cabernet Merlot a try. It’s a fantastic blend. You’ll find it in the Australian Wine section at Hy-Vee. Happy Holidays to you and your family!

So glad to see someone mention Ardon Creek from smallville Iowa…they are located near Muscatine if you can’t find the town on the map. (www.ardoncreek.com) Our fave red wine from them is Red 52. We also look for alcohol content. Red 52 is usually in the 12% range. I like to get a bit of a mellow buzz when I drink wine. They also have several other excellent red and white wines. Another local fave white wine is Ackerman’s (Marengo, IA) American Niagra…also 12% alc. My local bucket list trip is to go on an Iowa Wine Trail in the Spring and/or Fall. For you Iowans in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City areas, check out the local farmers markets…many of the local wineries are there to sample/sell their wine. That’s how I discovered Ardon Creek.

If you love Iowa wines check out John Earnst Vineyard located just outside of Tama, IA. Lincoln Highway Red is hands down my favorite. You can find it on local shelves in that area as well. Can’t wait for a trip back to Iowa to visit so I can go there.

I enjoy a good glass of wine myself! All of your favorites are faves for me as well. I can add an additional Pinot Noir. “Meiomi” is a mix of the precious grapes of Monterey , Sonoma, and Santa Barbara Counties. It has a wonderful dark cherry and chocolate start and a rich “buttery” finish. It’s delicious with simple meat meals as well as any fish. I have seen it for $19.99 at my local Kroger as well as World Market. Try it! You might enjoy it as well.

Great post with some new ideas for me!
I lean towards big, jammy reds. 19 Crimes Red Blend and Lost Angel Red Blend are 2 of my current favorites, especially as the temperature drops here in Iowa! Both are $9.99 -$12.99 at Hy-Vee!

I am a big fan of moscatos and recently I found Cascinetta Vietti’s Moscato D’Asti. It looks & sounds super fancy, but I get it at Costco for around $13! So yummy if you’re looking for something sweet.

Where are the winos? Here I am! Here I am! Thank you for this post. One of my wino friends and I were talking about finding new red wines to try. I’ve added these to the list I keep on my phone of Wines to Try. I also have a Wines I Like list so I’ll remember if a particular wine was a thumbs up or thumbs down. Thanks for the post!

Love trying new wines. Thanks for the red Suggestions. May also have to try a few of the whites you suggested. We always enjoy search for new wines. A few we have tried are Dreaming Tree Crush ( a nice softer red blend), Robert Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet (a little heavier red, around $12-$-15) Joel Gott 815 Cabernet Sauvignon ( a nicer bolder red priced at $16-$18). Thanks for the Wine article….Cheers!

Longgggggg time reader (& fan!) here, but I am sad to say I almost never comment. BUT this post made me want to finally drop a line because Pinot Noir is my absolute favorite and you must must must try the Mark West variety. It is my go to!

Marchese Guadagni Ovrieto Classico
Truly a fantastic white wine! Not dry, not sweet. Fragrant with floral and redolent with fruit notes (citrus, pear, apple). Most are unaoked and cool fermented; this brand is such. Has a full body and a very tiny bite at the end. It is one of those wines perfect with a meal or at the end of a long day with a good book or your hour of Netflix. Plus it just sounds haute coutre saying the name!

Big fan of Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc. Sadly, I don’t think its under $20 here in Canada. In the winter, I turn to reds. My fave reds are Robert Mondavi Private Selection Cab Sauv and J Lohr Cab Sauv (for when we feel like treating ourselves). My go to summer white is Toasted Head Chardonnay.

Love all the suggestions but have to mention how much we enjoy Sean Minor wines. All varieties are pleasing and under $20! If you want to splurge a bit, try Sean Minor Nicole Marie Red Blend. Outstanding!

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hi, i’m kristin!

I'm a Midwestern wife and Mom of two little boys. After being diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2013, Iowa Girl Eats is a place I share delicious and approachable gluten-free recipes made with everyday, in-season ingredients. Visit my Recipe Index for inspiration!MORE ABOUT ME

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